Xmas present for myself

noobiecycler

Hi guys, need your advice.

I'm looking to buy a new moutain bike to replace the current one that is rusting, where only the front brake works and the tyres have splits in them. Plus it was from toy'r'us from back in the day, need I say more?

If you look at my history I actually bought a hybrid to replace that bike, but I need a off road bike now.

I'm thinking of buying one of these...

1. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jam ... e-ec072065
2. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuj ... e-ec072768
3. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuj ... e-ec072770

My budget is < £501. Alternatives are okay if it fits into my budget.

I'll be buying locally from one of the following stores:
1. Evans
2. Halfords
3. Edinborough cycles

The Rookie

Do you have a Decathlon? The Rockrider 500 series are good. Also look at the Voodoo Hoodoo or Carrera Kraken at Halfords, both have better forks (the single most important component on a bike) than any of those.

Steer clear of a fork with no damper so that rules out the 1.9 Disc and I'm not convinced the 1.6 Disc has a damper either. as its' pretty much unheard of on the XCT.

Not familiar with the RST fork on the Jamis but the whole spec looks good for it and the bike.

noobiecycler

Thanks for the advice. So you're saying...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jam ... e-ec072065
vs
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -bike-2015

I've just narrowed the bikes on evans to the £500 mark and I quite like the below, what do you reckon?
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... e-ec075415

Don't like the voodoo hoodoo, but the kraken looks good. All bikes are 27.5, which just sounds like a good compromise of the 26 and 29ers.

edit:
Decathlon is too far.

Antm81

The scott is probably overpriced compared to the others, the big manufacturers tend to be poor at this price. The kraken is probably betterthan the scott but the voodoo hoodoo is probably the best specced bike out of all those you mention and has a good frame, maybe have a look at the voodoo bizango, slightly over budget but there's always sales etc plus british cycling membership gives discount at halfords plus things like quid I can also drop the price.

What sort of use do you intend using the bike for, I'm not a fan of 29ers, although the one I tested was poor and wasn't suited to my riding, but it may be very good for what you have in mind. 27.5 doesn't feel much different to 26" although maybe a little faster rolling.

noobiecycler

I've swaying towards the hoodoo now. I'll look to buy that in the next few days. Will pop into halfords and have a proper look.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... ke-18#tab2

It'll just be trails. Thanks for the advice.

The Rookie

The Scott would be good value if the asking price was £340, it's specced pretty much as the Carrera Vulcan.

The Hoodoo has the best fork of them all, excellent value, the kraken isn't as good a bike, but then it's cheaper.

noobiecycler

The hoodoo is a 26", any thoughts on the 650b size?

The Rookie

Yes, it's different!

Rolls a bit faster but is harder to get tyres for, especially towards the budget end.

noobiecycler

Thanks!

ben@31

Have a look at these and compare the specs to the other bikes. For the price they offer good components as you are not paying for a middle man in a shop.

http://www.canyon.com/en/mountainbikes/ ... al-29.html
http://www.canyon.com/en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3642

But in my opinion you cant get much (brand new) for your budget. I would look at saving a bit more to increase that budget or buy a second hand bike. This website is the best I've seen for second hand bikes http://www.findthatbike.co.uk

The Rookie

Seeing as how Halfords and Decathlon both avoid the extra layer of cost as well, that's a poor argument, neither of those come out as better value for money than those already suggested and only one is actually in budget.

ben@31

The Rookie wrote:

Seeing as how Halfords and Decathlon both avoid the extra layer of cost as well, that's a poor argument,.

Do Halfords make their own bikes and do they have to cover the cost of a large chain of shops (with staff) ?

peter413

Have you looked at the Pinnacle Ramin One in Evans? They always struck me as quite a nice bike. It's a full rigid but at this price that tends to be better than the suspension you get, not to mention a chunk lighter which always helps uphill. It's single ring at the front too but if that bothers you there's enough change from £500 to convert it to a double or triple setup. If you are the right size for a Small they are only £350 for the 2014 model.

I'd take the Pinnacle over the Canyon any day. The specs are pretty similar but the Pinnacle is cheaper, should be lighter and is better looking IMO.

stuisnew

peter413 wrote:

Have you looked at the Pinnacle Ramin One in Evans? They always struck me as quite a nice bike. It's a full rigid but at this price that tends to be better than the suspension you get, not to mention a chunk lighter which always helps uphill. It's single ring at the front too but if that bothers you there's enough change from £500 to convert it to a double or triple setup. If you are the right size for a Small they are only £350 for the 2014 model.

I'd take the Pinnacle over the Canyon any day. The specs are pretty similar but the Pinnacle is cheaper, should be lighter and is better looking IMO.

I was going to suggest the ramin great bike for the money

The Rookie

ben@31 wrote:

The Rookie wrote:

Seeing as how Halfords and Decathlon both avoid the extra layer of cost as well, that's a poor argument,.

Do Halfords make their own bikes and do they have to cover the cost of a large chain of shops (with staff) ?

Halfords bikes are assembled by Merida, yes they do have staffed shops but the bulk of the business is selling other stuff (paying for the shops) plus there delivery charges are a lot lower as it's too the shop in bulk deliveries.

By far the biggest saving is cutting out one later of 'middleman' and that equates to about 25-39%.

noobiecycler

Thanks for the suggestions, I had a look at the Ramin, but would like one with a suspension.

Halfords has said it'll be tue/wed coming when they can order it in and build it for me, so I'll consider other suggestions until then.

I guess it'll be my new years present now

dirkpitt74

If you're considering getting from Halfords get a British Cycling Membership (basic one is £20).
Will give you 10% off (inc sale prices).
Can potentially pay for it's self twice on the first spend!
Have saved a shed load over the past 6 months with mine.